1985 Map of Ruin Point

About this map

Hovenweep National Monument preserves a complex landscape of ancestral sites along the border of Utah and Colorado, centered on the Square Tower Group Ruins. The rugged terrain of the Colorado Plateau is defined by deep incisions like Cross Canyon and Squaw Canyon, which drain the elevated Cajon Mesa. Human history is etched into the geography through the presence of a Cliff Dwelling, a Ranger Sta, and a designated Campground near Little Ruin Canyon. Beyond the archaeological protections, the map documents the region's 1980s industrial footprint with numerous Oil Wells and Drill Holes scattered across Mc Lean Basin and Squaw Point. Rare water sources, including Cajon Lake and several Springs, underscore the precarious nature of settlement in this arid high-desert environment.